Mikael Backlund tallied a goal and assisted on another in a 4-2 loss for Vasteras on Tuesday. His assist helped set up St. Louis forward Patrik Berglund in the second period. Backlund has five goals and eight assists in eight contests in Sweden's second division this year.

Mikael Backlund produced a goal and two helpers to propel Vasteras to a 4-1 win versus Leksands in Sweden's second-tier league. The Calgary forward had a hand in the team's first three scores of the contest. St. Louis center Patrik Berglund scored the game-winner late in the second period. Backlund is eager to prove himself with Calgary, but the NHL lockout has put that on hold for now so he'll attempt to build some momentum for himself in Europe first.

Mikael Backlund's deal with Vasteras will last two months. "It's going to be fun to play," Backlund said. "I was trying to stay patient because you want things to happen here first, but it doesn't look good. It's just not going to help me to stay here. I need to play - I haven't played since Feb. 11. That's a long time without games. After the season, mentally it's good to get away from hockey. But it's been way too long now." Backlund will be joining St. Louis forward Patrik Berglund.

Mikael Backlund has agreed to terms with Vasteras to play in Sweden. The team, which resides in Sweden's second-highest level of competition, already has St. Louis forward Patrik Berglund in the fold. Backlund is expected to debut on Tuesday.

Mikael Backlund hasn't committed to playing with a European team yet, but he might in the not too distant future. Backlund is still hoping that the lockout will end before he makes a decision. He's been linked to Vasteras in Sweden's second league, but that was before it was determined that the Swedish Elite League could employ locked out NHLers.

Mikael Backlund thinks the stakes are high for him going into the 2012-13 campaign. Backlund signed a signed one-year/$725,000 "show me" deal after his disappointing 2011-12 season. "If I don't have a good year this year, I might be back in Europe," Backlund said. "And I don't want to be there." Flames GM Jay Feaster sees Backlund as a guy that can compete for a spot on one of Calgary's top two lines. That would obviously help his fantasy value, but right now we can't recommend drafting him in standard leagues.

Mikael Backlund sees his newly signed one-year/$725k contract as a "show me" deal. He had just four goals and 11 points in 41 games. "It's good for both parties," Backlund said. "I had a tough year, so I understand they're not 100 per cent sure where I stand. And for me, if I have a good year, it's really good for me . . . and I can get a better contract. If it goes the other way, it wouldn't be too good, but I'm not planning to have a bad year again. I'll work hard to push myself to have a good year . . . and I hope to get a longer term after next season." Backlund might bounce back next season, but he still won't have any fantasy value in standard leagues.

Mikael Backlund has re-signed with the Calgary Flames. He received a one-year deal worth $725,000 after appearing in 41 games last season due to injuries. Backlund generated only four goals and seven assists over that span, but he will get an opportunity to land a role in the team's top-six group in 2011-12. He does possess talent but needs to be far more consistent.

Calgary issued Mikael Backlund a qualifying offer, but the club expects more from him this season. The center was a first-round pick in 2007, but he's sputtered since being given a shot in the NHL, tallying only four goals and 11 points in 41 games this past season. "I hope that he comes back with a real seriousness of purpose," general manager Jay Feaster said. "And Mikael knows this. We talked about it multiple times through the season, and we talked about it at his exit meeting Many times this season, he was whistling past the graveyard."

Mikael Backlund (arm) skated on Friday. Backlund suffered an arm injury on the second Saturday in February and never returned to the lineup. The Flames like his offensive potential but he managed only four goals and 11 points in 41 games this season. Keep him in mind in fantasy drafts next season if you need a late sleeper pick in deep drafts.